Turkey's new top soldier appointed by first presidential decree

ANKARA

Turkish Land Forces Commander Gen. Yaşar Güler was appointed Chief of General Staff under the first presidential decree published in the official gazette early July 10, hours after Turkey officialy switched to an executive presidential system.

Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar was appointed as Minister of Defense with the same decree, which was announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on July 9.

The decree also included the names of the newly appointed deputy president and ministers following Erdoğan's announcement of the new Cabinet.

Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ümit Dündar was named as the new Commander of Turkish Land Forces and Lt. Gen. Metin Gurak was appointed as the new Deputy Chief of General Staff by the new decree.

Under the new decree, the president will decide on the promotion of top officers, including colonels, brigadier generals, rear admirals, generals and admirals, in the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).

The appointment of military officers will be made on Victory Day, Aug. 30, every year but this date may also be changed by the president.

The service period for the chief of staff will be four years.

Nine presidential boards and four offices established

Two more decrees were issued early July 10 to regulate the presidential offices under the new system.

With one of the decrees, a total of 65 existing boards, commissions and committees that were established with laws and other regulations were merged under nine entities, namely Social Policies Council, Law Policies, Security and Foreign Policies, Local Governments, Health and Food, Economy, Education and Science/Technology/Innovation.

Separately, four presidential offices --for digital transformation, finance, human resources and investment-- have been formed.

Erdoğan took his oath in parliament on July 9 after being elected as the country’s president in the June 24 elections, in which he garnered 52 percent of the votes.

After his swearing-in, the system change — stipulated by the constitutional amendment which was approved by last year's referendum — has gone into full effect.

Following an official inauguration ceremony at the presidential complex in Ankara on July 9, Erdoğan also announced his ministers.